CMU's Wilson hooks on with Lions

Central MIchigan University's Cody Wilson fights an Akron tackle after catching a pass during CMU's home game against the Zips on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012 in Kelly-Shorts Stadium. (Sun photo by LISA YANICK-JONAITIS/@lisayj_msun)

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions have always been a part of Cody Wilson’s life.

His dad Dave has been the team chaplain for 26 years.

So that made the moment when Wilson first slipped on a Lions’ jersey with his name on it just that much more special.

Advertisement

“It was really cool, I think my parents were really excited too. I took a little picture and sent it to them. They were really excited,’’ Wilson said.

He was signed by the Lions as an undrafted free agent out of Central Michigan and participated in the three-day rookie minicamp which ended on Sunday.

Wilson, who played at Rochester Adams, caught the Lions’ eye at the local pro day this spring where they’re allowed to bring in players who live within a 50-mile radius.

It also didn’t hurt that Wilson played on the same CMU squad as tackle Eric Fisher who was the top overall pick in the NFL draft.

“Because of Eric Fisher a lot of scouts came up and watched our practices,’’ Wilson said. “I got to meet Martin Mayhew, the GM, because he came up and watched practice. I kind of touched base with him then, but you don’t really know the interest.’’

“Our scouts had already graded him in the fall. He doesn’t drop many passes and he’s in the right spot all the time. That’s a good start for him,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said.

With 230 receptions and 2,729 receiving yards, Wilson, who is 5-foot-9, ranks third and fifth respectively all-time at CMU. He caught a pass in 42 consecutive games which tied for the second longest streak in the NCAA.

He showed some of that ability during the weekend’s rookie minicamp.

“He’s got great hands, has good quickness and picks things up really quickly. He was very, very productive at Central Michigan,’’ Schwartz said.

Wilson knows his best shot of making the 53-man roster is his special teams play. He returned punts for the Chippewas the last three seasons.

“It might help a little bit,’’ Wilson said. “Obviously I want to do everything I can to be on the team, if that’s returning kicks, if that’s being a gunner, any spot they want me I’m willing to do that. It’s cool because the special teams coach (John Bonamego) is a former CMU guy. It’s been nice talking to him a little bit.’’

Wilson’s goals for the minicamp were simple.

“Making a good impression even off the field, just being a character guy working hard. On the field making plays, doing what I can do, hopefully they remember me a little bit,’’ Wilson said. “I think of this is a a building block and move forward from here, keep getting better every day.’’

Along with the drafted rookies the free agent undrafted rookies like Wilson will join the veterans starting this week in the offseason program.

Even though Dave Wilson, who is the founding pastor of Kensington Church in Troy, has many Lions’ connections, it was Cody Wilson’s body of work that has gotten him this far. The Lions wouldn’t sign the kid just to be nice.

“I think if he was (at the Lions’ facility), he’d say, ‘Hey did you see my son?’ That’s what dads do,’’ Cody Wilson said with a smile. “I’m sure he was doing that.’’

Cody Wilson is good friends with Fisher because not only were they teammates at Central Michigan, they also are both from Rochester Hills and played against each other in high school. Fisher would probably like to forget Stoney Creek’s loss to Adams, but he has been reminded of it often.

“We did play against each other. A lot of teams didn’t recruit him — he was 6-7 but he only weighed 230 pounds then,’’ Wilson said. “I think we beat them 52-14. He was playing O-line, he didn’t have a lot to do with that. But I always rip on him a little for that — not any more because he’s a big dude.’’

Wilson’s last college reception was during the Little Caesar’s Pizza Bowl when he caught an 11-yard touchdown pass to give Central Michigan a 24-21 win over Kentucky.

It was in the corner of the end zone at Ford Field, certainly a stadium he’d like to catch passes in again. Only this time wearing Honolulu blue and silver.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book, “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)